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State Highway Commission recommends Central City Highway 14 viaduct; NDOT estimates $36M
Summary
NDOT requested and won commission recommendation for a grade‑separation (viaduct) in Central City to eliminate conflicts at Union Pacific crossings and reconfigure US 30/Highway 14; NDOT estimates $36 million, expects right‑of‑way purchases in 2025–26 and possible construction start in 2027.
Brandy Neiman, NDOT state roadway design engineer, presented the Central City Highway 14 viaduct project on June 27 and requested a commission recommendation to the governor for location, design, access control and relinquishment of a short segment of existing Highway 14.
Neiman described the project as a roughly one‑mile reconstruction that would build a curved two‑lane viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad, reconfigure downtown traffic into one‑way pairs and provide pedestrian accommodations, on‑street parking in some locations and a 10‑foot raised median in a short segment to serve as pedestrian refuge. She said the final environmental assessment has been approved by FHWA and that public outreach informed design changes to increase pedestrian width after comments.
She told the commission NDOT expects to begin right‑of‑way acquisition later this year into 2026, with construction possibly beginning in 2027 and an anticipated two‑year construction period. The preliminary cost estimate given to the commission was $36,000,000, funded by federal, state, local and Union Pacific Railroad contributions.
Staff read Resolution No. 2025‑3 requesting the commission recommend the project to the governor; commissioners recorded affirmative votes and the recommendation passed. Neiman said NDOT will continue final design, refine access‑control details and execute a relinquishment agreement with Central City prior to or after construction as required.
Neiman also noted potential business and parking impacts during construction and said NDOT has used retaining walls and other design measures to minimize impacts to adjacent properties.
